Multiculturalism in East Africa

Here in our "camp" of plywood containers in Juba, there are several cats roaming about, and 1 duck. The kitchen tent rat (Rolland) from last year apparently met his demise when the cats arrived. There were two ducks, but one is suspected to have met his (or her) maker in a pot out back by the motor pool one dinner time at the hands of the Philippine staff. More about that some other time. Now, one of the kittens has made friends with the remaining duck, and is often seen trailing about after its feathered friend. As you can see, we're desperate for any form of diversion here!

Wau, over on the west side of the country

This is my second trip to Wau this year. Flat, hot, dust everywhere and in everything. Other than the mosque, one government building, and the Anglican church, nothing above two floors. Landing (Canadian crew in a Dash 8) is interesting. Huge expanse of a red earth runway and apron, and a line of large white UN helicopters, with four wrecked/bombed/crashed planes beside the runway. Inspires confidence. Unfortunately, picture taking at the airport is prohibitied.

Four days there. Course went well. Crammed into a local hotel meeting room (no AC, and occaisional power). Massive bats circling overhead at night feasting on all the bugs. Daytime, amidst all the other bugs, there are "stick bugs" the lenght of my hand.

Got back to Juba this afternoon. Beers by the Nile tomorrow afternoon at the camp that has great spaghetti. Meetinsg Monday and Tuesday, then late Tuesday afternoon flight to Nairobi, then connecting on towards home later that night. 40 C here, and it's not summer yet.

Click on the image to expand it.

Nairobi on a Friday

Friday in Nairobi, and hours to kill waiting for our South Sudan visas to be ready, so off we go to the usual tourist spots (first time here for my traveling companion). Baby elephant sanctuary, then the giraffe sanctuary. There has been an ongoing horrendous drought here in East Africa, and one consequence has been a big increase in the number of orphaned baby elephants, including many who are only 2 to 4 months old. At that age, they are quite vulnerable to pneumonia, hence the blankets in the pictures.

At the giraffe centre, there was a bus load of school children, and face painting right by a display of Masai carved figures for sale. They all posed for a class photo with the Masai figures. I couldn't resist getting a shot. 3 or 4 of the wooden figures are as tall as some of the kids!

Saw something for the first time on the way out of the national park (where the baby elephant sanctuary is) - baboons. The driver had to stop as a group sauntered across the dirt road. Saw several different packs by the roadside afterwards. Ugly, and fearsome looking, even the babies.